It is not possible for students to escape the hurdle of examinations, no matter how much they might wish to do so. However, a lot depends upon their perception and attitude towards these exams, and the studying skills and strategies employed by them for the same.

Be effective: Instead of sitting with books for longer periods of time without much success, it is advisable to study for around 40-45 minutes at a time, ensuring that one utilises each of those minutes fruitfully.

Avoid multi-tasking: It is important to remember that multitasking does not actually save time and energy, instead makes it more difficult to retain the information, as the human ability to process information simultaneously reduces the efficiency, while at the same time gives us less opportunity to rehearse the information.

Take regular breaks: One should take regular breaks between study hours, for around 5-10 minutes each. Remember, these breaks are not inflexibly stretchable.

Plan the break: While breaks are supposed to be times to recuperate and do whatever one wants, it is also important to keep in mind what one should and should not do during break times. Students must avoid reading, TV or computers, as they involve the same part of the brain involved in studying, and hence would not be very refreshing. Instead, prefer to listen to some music, have some light snacks, or go for a short walk.

Use time-saving tactics: As most of the times the same topic needs to be read and revised more than once, it would be very beneficial if students would highlight specific words or phrases that would help to save time while revising the same topic again. Moreover, highlighting has been found to be more effective than underlining as it helps you form visual memories of the highlighted words standing out.

Prepare study environment: Besides the study material, it is also important not to neglect the place where one studies. No matter how comforting the bed might seem, studying in bed should be avoided, as the brain recognises the bed as a place to sleep. The study table should be reserved for studying, and should be kept de-cluttered as much as possible.

Self-tests: At the end of the day, one needs to be responsible for their studies. These tests need not be prepared by teachers or parents. Instead, students should be honest to themselves, and must prepare timed self-tests on a weekly basis. This would help to give a reality check and to be able to evaluate their progress as well.

Chairman, Fortis National Mental Health Council and Fortis National Mental Health Programme, Fortis Healthcare

Every student who aspires for the coveted top Engineering College’s seats anticipates dreads and gears up at the time of Joint Entrance Examinations. It becomes difficult to prepare and finally crack exams like WBJEE and JEE Mains as they always come back to back with the pre-board or board exams. 

So, in this crucial juncture of their lives the students have to marshal double or triple hurdles together, which effects in exponential levels of physical and mental stress, and hardships. It’s a tricky game of proper guidance, correct orientation and intense smart studying. Here are some quick tips to crack West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination (WBJEE) and help you do your very best.

Keep doing revision: All the topics that one has studied in class XI are going to be the basics of the new chapters in the next class. It is crucial to know the basics in order to focus on a course like engineering. 

Practice papers are friends:
One must have speed to score well in WBJEE. Revising books and notes will not help to build speed. It only comes from actual test taking. So as the year goes, practice questions from the chapters on a regular basis. Besides, they must also practise all the previous year paper’s as well as mock papers.
Learn how to focus better: To crack WBJEE one must be clearheaded and focused in the examination hall. Sleep well on the night before, and have a simple breakfast.

Have a strategy: Any entrance exam like WBJEE needs a strategy. One must have the answers ready for the questions they wish to attempt first.

Do not guess: Guesswork will lead nowhere in an exam, especially one like the WBJEE. Getting a question wrong will directly affect rank. 

Take care of your health: There are too many students who fall sick a week before their competitive exams, sometimes even on the night before. The reason is they do not take proper care of their health. Do not make the same mistake. Eat well, avoid junk food, and get proper rest.

Be prepared for the exam day: There are some things that one needs to carry on the exam day. Make sure to prepare a kit in advance so there are no issues on the day of the exam. Keep two pencils, two black pens, two blue pens, an eraser, and an ink remover. 

The syllabus: Every portion of it is imperative, but, there are certain topics which require special attention in every subject that form the basis of the entire subject and can help to score well. Topics in physics chapters that must be covered are Mechanics and General Properties of matter, Electrostatics, current electricity, Modern Physics and Electromagnetic Induction.  For chemistry a quick revision of inorganic chemistry must be done. 
While for maths Conic Section with ellipse, hyperbola, parabola and rectangular parabola, Trigonometry, Vectors, 3D and Integral Calculus requires more attention.

Chief spokesperson & chairman, NSHM

Every student who aspires for the coveted top Engineering College’s seats anticipates dreads and gears up at the time of Joint Entrance Examinations. It becomes difficult to prepare and finally crack exams like WBJEE and JEE Mains as they always come back to back with the pre-board or board exams. 

So, in this crucial juncture of their lives the students have to marshal double or triple hurdles together, which effects in exponential levels of physical and mental stress, and hardships. It’s a tricky game of proper guidance, correct orientation and intense smart studying. Here are some quick tips to crack West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination (WBJEE) and help you do your very best.

Keep doing revision: All the topics that one has studied in class XI are going to be the basics of the new chapters in the next class. It is crucial to know the basics in order to focus on a course like engineering. 

Practice papers are friends:
One must have speed to score well in WBJEE. Revising books and notes will not help to build speed. It only comes from actual test taking. So as the year goes, practice questions from the chapters on a regular basis. Besides, they must also practise all the previous year paper’s as well as mock papers.
Learn how to focus better: To crack WBJEE one must be clearheaded and focused in the examination hall. Sleep well on the night before, and have a simple breakfast.

Have a strategy: Any entrance exam like WBJEE needs a strategy. One must have the answers ready for the questions they wish to attempt first.

Do not guess: Guesswork will lead nowhere in an exam, especially one like the WBJEE. Getting a question wrong will directly affect rank. 

Take care of your health: There are too many students who fall sick a week before their competitive exams, sometimes even on the night before. The reason is they do not take proper care of their health. Do not make the same mistake. Eat well, avoid junk food, and get proper rest.

Be prepared for the exam day: There are some things that one needs to carry on the exam day. Make sure to prepare a kit in advance so there are no issues on the day of the exam. Keep two pencils, two black pens, two blue pens, an eraser, and an ink remover. 

The syllabus: Every portion of it is imperative, but, there are certain topics which require special attention in every subject that form the basis of the entire subject and can help to score well. Topics in physics chapters that must be covered are Mechanics and General Properties of matter, Electrostatics, current electricity, Modern Physics and Electromagnetic Induction.  For chemistry a quick revision of inorganic chemistry must be done. 
While for maths Conic Section with ellipse, hyperbola, parabola and rectangular parabola, Trigonometry, Vectors, 3D and Integral Calculus requires more attention.

Chief spokesperson & chairman, NSHM

Examinations are near ~ this statement is enough to instill fear in the minds of almost every student, and also bring lines of worry on parents’ foreheads. ‘Time to sit down and really study’, echoes the brain. The heart thinks otherwise as laziness creeps in and ‘procrastination’ makes itself home. ‘There’s still time’, the heart always suggests.

The exam fever has commenced. Fear seems a reality now as we scramble for preparations. Books are now stuck firmly to hands and eyes glued all the time and distractions are inevitable. We resolve to achieve high grades in certain subjects and above all, at least pass.

Strangely, all that we miss doing or watching makes its appearance felt profoundly exactly during this pressure, tempting us to leave our books aside for a moment and get enlightened in its glorified presence. 

But, sadly this ‘distraction’ certainly goes on endlessly, and our minds urge us to snap back from reality and go back to our books. The pressure we face during our preparation time is unanimously huge as nervousness rules our mind and anxiety follows close. It is prominent that in our examinations, one silly mistake can drastically affect our grades, and this fear itself leads to more than one of these mistakes. And above all, the pressure of meeting up with the parents’ expectations rises above all.

Resolutions are what we make every year, with a promise to follow them too. The same is with the resolution of giving our best. This goal seemingly is somewhat difficult if not impossible as complete dedication and determination are the requirements. Days are suddenly numbered and the nervousness and anxiety rise with each passing day. Time which was usually known to be fleeting suddenly comes to a standstill just before exams.

The days seem to be a drag, with our minds full to the brim with knowledge yet slumbering with memory. Fear seems to invade the brain, making us tremble, and that familiar uneasy feeling in our stomach originates.

Staying up almost the entire night is a regime, if you consider. Time seems to be in a hurry, rushing through hours like they were minutes and seconds seem to catch the inbound train for ‘Rush’. Sleep, seems to take a break and plans a trip to ‘Deprivation’. All efforts come finally to the day of the exams.  Sweat rolls down the face, the same worry-lines that prance about on our parents’ foreheads, form on ours too. Hands tremble, the uneasy feeling in our stomach grows slowly. Anxiety is almost bursting out, and fear tries to make a permanent settlement in our mind. The question paper in our hands seems to be the endgame. The bell rings, and with a deep breath we recall our memory and set forward to give our best. 

Coordinator, Class IX, Don Bosco School, Park Circus

Examinations are near ~ this statement is enough to instill fear in the minds of almost every student, and also bring lines of worry on parents’ foreheads. ‘Time to sit down and really study’, echoes the brain. The heart thinks otherwise as laziness creeps in and ‘procrastination’ makes itself home. ‘There’s still time’, the heart always suggests.

The exam fever has commenced. Fear seems a reality now as we scramble for preparations. Books are now stuck firmly to hands and eyes glued all the time and distractions are inevitable. We resolve to achieve high grades in certain subjects and above all, at least pass.

Strangely, all that we miss doing or watching makes its appearance felt profoundly exactly during this pressure, tempting us to leave our books aside for a moment and get enlightened in its glorified presence. 

But, sadly this ‘distraction’ certainly goes on endlessly, and our minds urge us to snap back from reality and go back to our books. The pressure we face during our preparation time is unanimously huge as nervousness rules our mind and anxiety follows close. It is prominent that in our examinations, one silly mistake can drastically affect our grades, and this fear itself leads to more than one of these mistakes. And above all, the pressure of meeting up with the parents’ expectations rises above all.

Resolutions are what we make every year, with a promise to follow them too. The same is with the resolution of giving our best. This goal seemingly is somewhat difficult if not impossible as complete dedication and determination are the requirements. Days are suddenly numbered and the nervousness and anxiety rise with each passing day. Time which was usually known to be fleeting suddenly comes to a standstill just before exams.

The days seem to be a drag, with our minds full to the brim with knowledge yet slumbering with memory. Fear seems to invade the brain, making us tremble, and that familiar uneasy feeling in our stomach originates.

Staying up almost the entire night is a regime, if you consider. Time seems to be in a hurry, rushing through hours like they were minutes and seconds seem to catch the inbound train for ‘Rush’. Sleep, seems to take a break and plans a trip to ‘Deprivation’. All efforts come finally to the day of the exams.  Sweat rolls down the face, the same worry-lines that prance about on our parents’ foreheads, form on ours too. Hands tremble, the uneasy feeling in our stomach grows slowly. Anxiety is almost bursting out, and fear tries to make a permanent settlement in our mind. The question paper in our hands seems to be the endgame. The bell rings, and with a deep breath we recall our memory and set forward to give our best. 

Coordinator, Class IX, Don Bosco School, Park Circus

Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s visionary approach to ensure all sections were brought under banking system through inclusive banking was an effective strategy to weed out informal economy.

"The visionary approach of Prime Minister ensures recognition of self respect to all sections including those who are marginalised and belonged to the poorer sections and to register development of all states" she said while inaugurating a seminar on Digi Dhan Yojana.

Stating that the adoption of direct benefit transfer system in implementing various welfare schemes was proving to be successful both for the beneficiaries and also the government, she said that it was found that the implementation of the DBT in payment of wages under such projects like MGNREGA had resulted in saving of as much as Rs.27,000 crores to the government.

"Nothing will be forced on any section and no state would be left out of the development process and Prime Minister is keen that our country marched ahead on faster pace by keeping informal economy at bay", she said.

She announced that the Puducherry port would be developed into a satellite port and a MoU would be inked between the Union Shipping Ministry and Puducherry government on March 14..

Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Pon Radhakrishnan in the wake of the implementation of the Jan Dhan Yojana as many as 27 crore people had opened bank accounts.

Amid the controversy surrounding the DRS call in the India-Australia second Test, the ICC on Wednesday said it will take no action against Steve Smith and Virat Kohli as no charges have been laid against the two captains under its code of conduct.

"The ICC has confirmed that no charges have been laid against any player under the ICC Code of Conduct following the second Test match between India and Australia in Bengaluru," the ICC said in a statement.

It added, "Specifically in relation to Steve Smith and Virat Kohli, the ICC has considered both incidents in the context of this match and concluded it will be taking no further action against either player."

As the controversy turned into a full blown verbal war between the two cricket boards, the BCCI, through a media release earlier in the day, had requested the ICC to take note of Australian skipper Smith's "brain fade" in seeking dressing room's advice for a DRS referral in the second Test.

ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said: "We have just witnessed a magnificent game of Test cricket where players from both teams gave their all and emotions were running high during and after the match.

"We would encourage both teams to focus their energies on the third Test in Ranchi next week. Ahead of that, the match referee will bring both Captains together to remind them of their responsibilities to the game."

The ICC could have looked into the matter had Indian team laud any official charge against Steve Smith.

"During the infamous Trent Bridge spat between Ravindra Jadeja and Jimmy Anderson, it was Indian manager Sunil Dev who, on behalf of BCCI, had filed an official complaint laying specific charges. That's what needs to be done in this case.

The BCCI had filed a complaint then," a top BCCI source involved in drafting of complaint during the 2014 series told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

The BCCI on Wednesday came out in strong support of India captain Virat Kohli and requested the ICC to take note of Australian skipper Steve Smith's "brain fade" in seeking dressing room's advice for a DRS referral in the second Test.

The BCCI's reaction to the controversy came after Cricket Australia called the cheating allegations against Smith outrageous.

"The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after due deliberation and seeing the video replays of the episode steadfastly stands with the Indian Cricket Team and its Captain Mr. Virat Kohli," said the BCCI in a statement.

"Mr. Virat Kohli is a mature and seasoned cricketer and his conduct on the field has been exemplary. Mr. Kohli s action was supported by ICC Elite Panel Umpire Mr. Nigel Llong who rushed in to dissuade Mr. Steve Smith from taking recourse to inappropriate assistance."

The Board wants ICC to step into the matter and is hoping the remainder of the two Tests is played in the right spirit.

"BCCI has requested the ICC to take cognizance of the fact that the Australian skipper Mr. Steve Smith in his press conference admitted to a 'brain fade' at that moment. BCCI sincerely hopes that the rest of the matches are played in the true spirit of cricket," the BCCI added.

Following India's 75-run win in the second Test on Tuesday, Kohli had stopped short of calling Smith a cheat but said he had seen the Australian players seeking dressing room's advice twice before making DRS calls.

Evidence of planetary debris surrounding a double sun in a Star Wars-like system has been found by a team of researchers from the UK.

The study, published recently in the journal Nature Astronomy, has found the remains of shattered asteroids orbiting a double sun consisting of a white dwarf star and a brown dwarf star roughly 1,000 light years away in a system called SDSS 1557. The debris appears to be rocky suggesting that terrestrial planets, such as Tatooine, the home planet of Luke Skywalker in the film series Star Wars, might exist in the system.

To date, all exoplanets discovered in orbit around double stars are gas giants, similar to Jupiter, and are thought to form in the icy regions of their systems. In contrast to the carbon-rich icy material found in other double star systems, the planetary material identified in the SDSS 1557 system has a high metal content, including silicon and magnesium. These elements were identified as the debris flowed from its orbit onto the surface of the star, polluting it temporarily with at least 1.1 trillion tons of matter,equating it to an asteroid at least four km in size.

The discovery came as a complete surprise, as the team assumed the dusty white dwarf was a single star but co-author Steven Parsons from the University of Sheffield, who is an expert in double star (or binary) systems, noticed the tell-tale signs. “We know of thousands of binaries similar to SDSS 1557 but this is the first time we’ve seen asteroid debris and pollution.

“The brown dwarf was effectively hidden by the dust until we looked with the right instrument but when we observed SDSS 1557 in detail, we recognised the brown dwarf ’s subtle gravitational pull on the white dwarf.” Lead author of the study,Jay Farihi from University College London’s department of physics and astronomy, said, “Building rocky planets around two suns is a challenge because the gravity of both stars can push and pull tremendously,preventing bits of rock and dust from sticking together and growing into full-fledged planets.

“With the discovery of asteroid debris in the SDSS 1557 system, we see clear signatures of rocky planet assembly via large asteroids that formed, helping us understand how rocky exoplanets are made in double star systems.” In the solar system, the asteroid belt contains the leftover building blocks for the terrestrial planets Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars, so planetary scientists study the asteroids to gain a better understanding of how rocky and potentially habitable, planets are formed.

The same approach was used by the team to study the SDSS 1557 system as any planets within it cannot yet be detected directly but the debris is spread in a large belt around the double stars, which is a much larger target for analysis. The team studied the binary system and the chemical composition of the debris by measuring the absorption of different wavelengths of light or “spectra”, using the Gemini Observatory South telescope and the European Southern Observatory Very Large Telescope, both located in Chile.

Co-author Professor Boris Gänsicke from the University of Warwick analysed these data and found they all told a consistent and compelling story. “Any metals we see in the white dwarf will disappear within a few weeks, and sink down into the interior, unless the debris is continuously flowing onto the star. “We’ll be looking at SDSS 1557 next with Hubble, to conclusively show the dust is made of rock rather than ice.”

Kansas Governor San Brownback has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing "profound regret" at the terrible act of violence against the Indian nationals last month and said that acts of hate and intolerance have no place in his state.

Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and Alok Madasani, another Indian of the same age, injured in a shooting by navy veteran Adam Purinton, who yelled "terrorist" and "get out of my country" before opening fire on them in Kansas last month.

The Kansas incident and the two hate crime incidents against Indians and Indian-Americans since then has sent shock waves among the large Indian community in the US.

"As Governor of the State of Kansas, I would like to express my deep sadness and profound regret at the terrible act of violence committed against Srinu Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani. The people of Kansas share in my shock and horror.

Words cannot express the sorrow that we feel for Srinu's wife, Sunayana, and his family in Hyderabad," Brownback wrote.

"In the time since Srinu's death, we have reflected on his life, and the words I have heard most often to describe him are that he was courageous, and that he loved his family, and that he respected elders. We strive to live in Srinu s example of courage and love and respect," he wrote in the letter dated March 3, a copy of which has been seen by PTI.

Brownback wrote that Kansans have been awed by Sunayana's grace and determination.

Her indomitable spirit has moved the entire community and they pray for her comfort and peace in this time of grief.

Telling the Prime Minister that open arms of friendship are the very hallmarks of being a Kansan, the Governor said Srinu embodied the essence of what it means to be a Kansan.

"His friends describe him as charming, caring and loving.

He brought with him his immense talents and education and passion. His story is similar to the thousands of Indian diaspora who have called Kansas home over generations," he wrote.

"They have enjoyed tremendous success through their ingenuity, hard work, and determination. Our state has thrived because of their contributions," Brownback wrote, adding that he would like to personally welcome Indians to his state.

"Before they moved here, Sunayana said: 'Kansas was (the) instant choice.' We are humbled that this was the case. I would like to personally welcome Indians to Kansas, and assure them that Kansas is a welcoming, hospitable place," he said.

Noting that Sunayana also spoke about being without her family in Kansas, Brownback wrote in the letter that it is their solemn hope that the community in Olathe and all of Kansas may nourish and love her in the difficult months ahead.

"Acts of hate and intolerance have no place in Kansas.

Since our founding, Kansas have fought against injustice and senseless hatred. We are recommitted daily to protecting our family, our neighbors, our guests. We find wisdom and peace in the Sanskrit mantra 'Satyameva Jayate'," Brownback said.

The Governor had met the Indian Consul General Dr Anupam Ray in Topeka and expressed his sincere condolences and reiterated his strong commitment to providing a safe and welcoming environment in Kansas.

The Centre has directed states to spend 30 per cent of funds allocated towards farm schemes for empowering women farmers, whose share is significant in the country's agri workforce, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said on Wednesday. He, however, expressed concern over negligible number of women cooperatives in India and emphasised on the need to strengthen by providing financial help to them.

The government has decided to celebrate October 15 as 'Female Farmers Day' to recognise their contribution.

"About 60 per cent of the country's population is dependent on agriculture. Out of which, women are 30 per cent.

We have asked the states to partner women in all our schemes and programmes," Singh said at the national workshop on 'Strengthening Women Cooperatives' organised by NCDC here.

Women play an important role in sowing and harvesting process as also in allied farm activities. Therefore, the states have been directed to spend at least 30 per cent of the allocation to empower women farmers, he said.

Singh also emphasised that there is a need to set up more women cooperatives in the country as at present they are only 20,014 out of the total 8 lakh in India.

"Women can contribute in a big way in allied farm activities like dairy, beekeeping and poultry farming. They need to be trained and given adequate finance to indulge in such farm activities," he said and asked National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) to support women cooperatives.

Stating that the government is making efforts to empower women farmers and labourers, the Minister said it has been made mandatory to deploy one female scientist in 668 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (farm science centres) spread across India.

As many as 3.1 lakh female agriculturists have been trained so far in 2016-17 fiscal by these kendras.

A gender knowledge portal has been developed for women farmers. A central institute for women in agriculture in Bhubneshwar has also been set up for women farmers by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, he added.

NCDC Managing Director Vasudha Mishra said women cooperatives find difficult to market their products and the corporation has decided to provide market linkages and training to them to manufacture products with better designs.

Women cooperatives will also be trained how to manage funds and run the cooperative in a professional way, she said.

National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI) President Chandra Pal Singh and Self Employed Women Cooperative (SEWA) Cooperative Federation Chairperson Mirai Chatterjee were also present at the event.

In a good news for the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), the AAP government has increased its annual budget by three times amounting to Rs.20 core, drawing appreciation from women activists.

The budget allocated in 2016 to the women's body was Rs.7 core.

"Budget for the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) has increased by three times to Rs.20 crore," Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said in his budget speech in Delhi Assembly.

DCW chief Swati Maliwal thanked the government for recognising the need to strengthen the resources of the women's body.

"First time in the Indian history has the women commission got Rs.20 core. Thanks to Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia," Maliwal said.

While women activists appreciated the government's move, they flagged the issue of women safety which continues to be be their prime concern.

"It is appreciable that the government is investing in providing resources to bodies working for women but we also want it to focus on issues like women safety which continue to be unaddressed," said Kamla Bhasin, founder member of Jagori, an NGO for women.

Ranjana Kumari, gender rights activist and Director of Centre for Social Research, said, "DCW getting enhanced budget allocation is worth appreciation but the government also needs to enhance the over-all budget allocation to the Women and Child development department.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today launched mobile App and website 'Mera Hunar HP', a first of its kind in the country.

'Mera Hunar' is a web based platform where the skilled, semi-skilled persons can apply for various jobs as per their convenience like plumber, carpenter, mechanic, security guards, drivers, tourists guides, etc online. The platform is available both in English and Hindi.

This platform will directly connect the prospective employers with the job seekers as the application, will contain the address and the phone numbers of those looking for jobs and other details as well.

This will benefit those looking for daily jobs within their area. The CM appreciated the efforts of 'Mera Hunar' team and thanked CEO, Vinay Dalal for the voluntary cause for the job seekers. 

This would further supplement the Skill development scheme of the state government and would be of great help to those passing out fresh from Industrial Training Institutes.

Information Technology Advisor, Himachal Pradesh, Gokul Butail is the brainchild behind developing and launching of the application.

He said that this will not only create self-employment but also create a huge data-base of all the job seekers skilled in different trades. He appealed to the people of the state to make full use of the application which can be downloaded from google play or Apple store or from the website, www.hpmerahunar.com

Waging a war to eradicate the drug menace from Himachal Pradesh (HP), the state government upbeat with its
performance last year, has decided to start the cannabis and opium destruction drive earlier this year.

The move has been planned as the state government is buoyed with the success of last year’s cannabis destruction drive that had started in various areas across the state only after the monsoons, following the launch of the campaign on August 22.

Chief Secretary V C Pharka said, “We had asked for a proposal from all the district commissioners, to resume the cannabis destruction drive this year, as the time period for the growth of cannabis varies in the low and high altitude regions of the state. Hence, accordingly the drive will resume soon.”

The cannabis destruction drive had picked up in a big way in 2016, which witnessed the clearing of cannabis from 17,627.19 bighas of area, which was highest till date and 486.7 per cent more as compared to the previous years.

Meanwhile, in 2012 it was 1,830.15 bighas, 4,569 in 2013 and 1,639.17 bighas in 2014. Besides, the various government departments, including polices, forest, the campaign had witnessed participation of Mahila mandals, Self Help Groups, gram panchyats, Yuvak Mandals and students to uproot 3,56,25,530 plants.

“Looking in to the overwhelming response at the public end, with more than 2 lakh people having volunteered to participate in the campaign, we have written to centre to bring the activity of cannabis and poppy destruction under Mahatma Gandhi National Employment Guarantee Scheme (MANREGA),”said V C Pharka.

He added that this year the campaign will further yield better results, with the help of a mapping of cannabis and opium areas that was done after last year’s drive and even  identifying areas that were never thought of.

“Zero tolerance for cannabis and poppy cultivation is being adopted on revenue and forest land. The Narcotics Cell is being strengthened, awareness programmes and greater involvement of government departments, NGOs were also being sought,” said, Himachal Director General of Police Sanjay Kumar.

The move of cannabis and opium destruction stems out from the urgent need to eradicate the drug menace which has gained notoriety in various parts of the state including Malana in Kullu district and the situation of cannabis and opium plantation organized or in wild taking grave proportion.

Earlier local varieties were grown, however, with the commercialization and attraction of foreigner’s hybrid varieties were being grown. The cannabis leaves are used to make marijuana or charas.

SSC CHSL Tier- I answer key 2017: Authorities have released an important update for the candidates appeared for the SSC exam 2016 for Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL). As per the latest update, SSC CHSL answer key 2016-2017 has been released online on the official website www.ssc.nic.in. 

Candidates trying to download SSC CHSL exam answer key 2017 have to visit the official website and fill the blank space with the required  instruction including roll number, date of birth and other required details.

SSC CHSL 2017 examination took place across the country from January 7 to February 5, 2017. This year authorities have planned to fill 5133 vacancies for different posts including Postal Assistant/Sorting Assistant, LDC, DEO and Court Clerk.

Due to the huge number of the visitors on the SSC website candidates may face few technical issues in downloading the SSC 2017 exam answer key. So the candidates are advised to stay calm and refresh the website in a short interval of time.

President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday reiterated the Union government’s resolve to ensure security, economic empowerment, self-reliance and social equality for women in the country.

In separate comments on the occasion of International Women’s Day, Mukherjee and Modi highlighted the various initiatives being taken by the Union government to improve the socio-economic conditions of women.

At a function at Rashtrapati Bhawan to present the ‘Nari Shakti Puruskar’ for 2016, Mukherjee referred to incidents of violence against women and pointed out how the government is trying to mitigate the situation.

"The government is… concerned at the rising rate of violent crimes against women. It is inexcusable that women in India do not feel as secure and safe as they should. Gender biases have no place in modern India where inclusive development is a key objective.

“A greater emphasis on early sensitisation of children and youth in schools and institutions of higher learning would help inculcate due respect for the female gender. This should be taken up through appropriate measures in our rural and urban populations and through well-conceived and coherent Government programmes,” President Mukherjee said.

Stressing on the need for creation of an ‘enabling environment’ for gthe irl child and women to help them fulfill their aspirations, Mukherjee mentioned the Prime Minister’s ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign’ in response to the falling child sex ratio in many parts of the country.

A statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office here said Modi saluted the spirit of ‘Nari Shakti’ on International Women's Day.

“Saluting the indomitable spirit, determination & dedication of Nari Shakti on International Women's Day…GoI’s various initiatives seek to facilitate economic empowerment, self-reliance & social equality as far as Nari Shakti is concerned.

“Looking forward to addressing a conclave of women Sarpanchs & honouring trailblazers who have worked towards a Swachh Bharat,” the PMO release, quoting Modi said.

Accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of landing Haryana in a serious debt trap, the Congress
on Wednesday sought white paper from the government on the financial position of the state.

While addressing a Press conference, former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda accompanied by Congress MLAs demanded that the state government should come out with a white paper showing the financial position of the state since the present regime took over.

Hooda said, "At the end of 2014-15, the outstanding debt of the state was Rs 70,931 Crore at 16.21 Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) while the debt volume has further gone up by Rs 16,919 Crore resulting in a total debt of Rs 1,41,854 Crore in Budget Estimates (BE) 2017-18 which is at 22.93 per cent of the GSDP. This shows that the financial health of the state is not good at all."

"The present government issued a white paper in March 2015 in which it was highlighted that over the years there has been a growing reliance on public debt as a major source for financing government expenditure and borrowing was done to repay the old debt. But this government is dependent on debt for government expenditure on the higher side
compared to previous years. Now it should come out white paper on financial health," he added.

Hooda further stated that increases in allowances, etc., which are yet to be revised by the state government, requiring more funds, would will result in further increase of Revenue Deficit and less capital expenditure.

Similarly, due to increase in Revenue Deficit, its impact will be on Fiscal Deficit which is likely to go above the level of 4 per cent.

This all will be hampered for want of funds for capital expenditure, he added.

Haryana's budget for 2017-18 fiscal was presented by Finance Minister Captain Abhimanyu on March 6. Total Budget for 2017-18 is pegged at Rs 1.02 lakh Crore with proposing budget of a total 1,02,329.35 Crore for the next fiscal, an increase of 13.18 per cent over RE 2016-17 of Rs 90,412.59 Crore. The outlay comprises 21.88 per cent as capital
expenditure of Rs 22,393.51 Crore and 78.12 per cent as revenue expenditure of Rs 79,935.84 Crore.

The Revenue Deficit for the fiscal 2017-18, it is expected to further down to less than one per cent.